Recurrent Hypersomnias is a medical term that refers to a group of disorders characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. The phonetic transcription of this term is /rɪˈkʌrənt haɪpərˈsɒmnɪəz/ which can be broken down as follows- 'r' sounds like 'er', 'ɪ' as in 'sit', 'k' as in 'kick', 'ʌ' as in 'up', 'r' sounds like 'er', 'ə' as in 'about', 'n' as in 'not', 't' as in 'top', 'h' as in 'hot', 'aɪ' as in 'eye', 'p' sounds like 'pi', 'ə' as in 'about', 's' sounds like 'si', 'ɒ' as in 'hot', 'm'
Recurrent Hypersomnias refer to a group of neurological sleep disorders characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and recurring episodes of excessive sleep. These conditions cause individuals to feel overwhelmingly tired during the day, leading to significant impairment in daily functioning.
There are two main types of Recurrent Hypersomnias: Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) and Idiopathic Hypersomnia (IH). KLS is a rare disorder that primarily affects adolescents and is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive sleep lasting from days to weeks. During these episodes, individuals may sleep for extended periods, from 18 to 20 hours a day, but may also experience changes in behavior such as irritability, disorientation, and altered appetite.
On the other hand, Idiopathic Hypersomnia is a chronic condition in which individuals experience excessive daytime sleepiness for extended periods but do not have the extreme sleep episodes seen in KLS. Those with IH may struggle to wake up in the morning, experience persistent sleepiness throughout the day, and often find it challenging to stay awake during daily activities.
The exact causes of Recurrent Hypersomnias are still unclear, but certain factors such as genetic predisposition and abnormalities in specific brain regions are believed to play a role. Treatment options primarily involve managing symptoms through medication, behavioral changes, and lifestyle modifications.
In summary, Recurrent Hypersomnias are a set of neurological sleep disorders characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and recurrent episodes of excessive sleep. These conditions significantly impact an individual's ability to function normally during waking hours and can have a profound effect on their overall quality of life.
The word "recurrent" originates from the Latin word "recurrere", which means "to run back, to return". The term "recurrent" in medical context implies that a condition or symptom keeps coming back or happening repeatedly.
"Hypersomnia" is derived from the Greek words "hyper" meaning "excessive" and "somnia" meaning "sleep". Hypersomnia refers to a sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness or prolonged sleep duration.
When these two terms are combined, "recurrent hypersomnias" refer to a group of sleep disorders that involve recurring episodes of excessive sleep or prolonged sleep periods.